Tribe turns earth for new Sonic Drive-In

Monday

Aug 26, 2013 at 10:41 PM

Todd G. HIgdon

Monday marked the ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sonic Drive-in, near the intersection of U.S. 60 and Highway 43 in Seneca.

"Thank you to everybody that coming out (Monday), showing their support for our new project, the economic development project of the Wyandotte Nation, the Sonic drive-in that is going to set on this location." Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend said.

Recently, the tribe announced that they were going to bring in the new Sonic drive-in.

"We are the first tribe in the United States to purchase a franchise," he said. "When we began to look at areas to develop, Seneca was just a perfect choice: No. 1 because of the demographics of it and it sits on a major highway here. Plus, the town has been very supportive."

Mira of Texas is the construction company. Mira has done other Sonic locations.

"They will officially start (today), you will see the equipment start rolling in and they will start moving dirt," said Kelly Carpino, CEO of Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma. "The building will take about 60 days to put up. We were hoping for the first of October (to open), but it will probably be pushed to the first of November."

The drive-in will have 21 stalls, a drive-through and will employ between 30-40 full- and part-time employees.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity of working together with the community," said Friend. "We think that it is going to be a great addition to the community."

Seneca Mayor Mark Bennett agrees.

"It is wonderful, Seneca is a wonderful place. We have a lot of great businesses," Bennett said. "But for the Wyandotte Nation to come to our city and invest in our city, it couldn't be better."